Recommended Reading, May 25, 2025

Robert Cox

25 May 2025 — 7 min read

DUBLIN, IRELAND (May 25, 2025) — I am sad to report the passing of Frank Ward, husband of Denise Ward and father of Ashley, good friends and loyal supporters of my reporting here and on Talk of the Sound. Frank had perhaps his finest moment in my reporting when he sent an email to Noam Bramson in 2015 that really got under the skin of the former Mayor.

Francis J. Ward Obituary

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I’m thrilled to share the impact of my ongoing efforts to reform New York’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), a cornerstone of open government that, alongside the Open Meetings Law, empowers us to hold public officials accountable. My successful challenge to the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office over their practice of “double-dipping” on FOIL fees led to a significant legislative victory, thanks to Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and her dedicated staff, who worked tirelessly to pass Assembly Bill A4677A, signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul in late 2022. This change ensures agencies can’t charge redundant fees for electronic records requested within six months, making public information more accessible. But the fight for transparency continues, with ongoing concerns about outdated 25 cents per-page fees for paper records—now unnecessary in our digital age—and the troubling practice of charging indigent prisoners for their own case files, a policy that demands reform.

I wrote a good piece on the deepening divide within New Rochelle’s Democratic Party, reflecting broader national tensions, and took a deep dive into the persistent stonewalling of my FOIL requests by the City of New Rochelle and its school district.

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Westchester DA Must Pay Back Dupe FOIL Fees

The Westchester County DA’s Office charged multiple requesters fees for the same records, a practice called “double-dipping,” seen in 2020 Kamal Flowers FOIL requests. This undermines New York’s Freedom of Information Law, turning the clerk’s office into a profit center, which publisher Robert Cox argues must stop.

The Backstory on Cox-Paulin FOIL Reform Effort

In 2022, Robert Cox’s reporting on the Kamal Flowers case led to a New York FOIL reform, driven by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin. The new law, signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, bans fees for identical electronic records requested within six months, enhancing transparency.

What is the Mysterious “Larger Project” Coming for Quaker Rudge Road in Near Future

In May 2025, Robert Cox reported on a New Rochelle project to repair Quaker Ridge Road’s deteriorating pavement, tied to RFP #5790. This follows a 2017 $3.5 million grant for “Complete Streets” improvements, but Cox notes unresolved questions about a mysterious “larger project” planned for the road.

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Democratic Divide Deepens: New Rochelle School Board Election Reflects Party’s Ideological and Racial Tensions

The New Rochelle school board election on May 20, 2025, highlighted tensions within the Democratic Party, with Jewish candidates Elana Jacob and Jessica Klein defeating progressive Rosa Rivera-McCutchen, endorsed by Jamaal Bowman. The race exposed ideological and racial divides, driven by Gaza-related issues, reflecting national Democratic Party conflicts.

New Rochelle Board of Education: Criminal Enterprise Masquerading as an Educational Institution – Part XXVII

Robert Cox alleges corruption in the New Rochelle Board of Education, claiming illegal student placements at Shrub Oak International School cost $3.3 million, violating state law. His October 2024 FOIL requests for related records face delays, with the district citing their volume, pushing responses to June 2025.

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Simplified Summary: In New Rochelle and surrounding areas, recent headlines reveal a mix of local controversies, environmental efforts, and public safety concerns. The New Rochelle school board election has exposed deep ideological and racial divides within the Democratic Party, while a debate rages over whether prisoners should pay fees to access their own case records under FOIL, spotlighting issues of fairness. A dispute over medical examiner records in the Kamal Flowers police shooting case underscores ongoing transparency challenges, as do significant delays in New Rochelle’s FOIL responses, totaling over 4,451 days. Meanwhile, a towed car and stolen motorcycle linked to an event organizer raise suspicions of misused funds, and a homicide fugitive from the Dominican Republic was arrested in New Rochelle by ICE and local police. Westchester County faces a $24.25 million budget shortfall, with County Executive Ken Jenkins pointing to economic policies tied to Trump as a cause. On a positive note, conservation efforts shine with a call to protect turtles during nesting season and a sustainability festival in New Rochelle featuring goats clearing invasive plants. However, environmental concerns persist, as a report highlights poor water quality at New Rochelle’s beach, raising alarms about public safety.